Faculty

Securing Your Computer

This section provides information about all the software and instruction necessary to comply with the Desktop and Portable Computer Standard. The software on this page is intended for use by students, faculty, and staff at RIT. Inexperienced/non-technical users may want to check out our Digital Self Defense 101 Workshop, which explains the dangers of the Internet and RIT security requirements in greater detail.

Note: You do not have to use the specific software listed on this page. However, you should meet the requirements of the Desktop and Portable Computer Standard for your computer

Anti-Spyware

This should already be built into current anti-virus software. A separate program is not needed.

Firewalls

Windows 7, 8, 10 and Mac OS X all come with built-in firewalls; Resnet provides instructions on how to configure these built-in firewalls. If you do not want to use this firewall, RIT recommends the basic ZoneAlarm free firewall for Windows users Other firewall options may be provided by your Internet Service Provider.

Users of other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, etc., are also required to keep their operating systems up-to-date on security patches.

Software Applications should also be kept up-to-date. This can usually be done from within the program itself or through the vendor's website; some programs have an automatic update feature. Use the links below to find updates for Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe software.

If you are storing Private or Confidential information on portable media, such as USB keys, CDs, DVDs, and flash memory. If you must store Private information on portable media, the media must be encrypted.

Plain English Guide to the Information Security Policy

RIT has issued an Information Security Policy. The Policy provides the strategic direction needed to implement appropriate information safeguards for RIT information and the Institute network. This Plain English Guide provides explanation and illustration of the Policy and is provided as an aid to help you understand and implement the requirements of the Policy. The Policy itself is authoritative. The policy is effective immediately.

Why did RIT issue the policy?

The Policy authorizes RIT to take reasonable measures to protect RIT information and computing assets in an age that is both reliant on electronic media and characterized by increasing Internet-borne threats. These measures apply to RIT information and the technology infrastructure.

Why is the information lifecycle important?

The information lifecycle concept and its associated stages (creation, storage, transfer, and destruction) provide a useful framework for information handling. For example, during the creation stage, the creator of the information determines who should have access to the information and how that access is to be granted. During the destruction stage, "out-of-date" information or information used only occasionally may be without appropriate protection and be at greater risk.

What are the roles of Safeguards and Controls?

Most of the legislation above requires affected organizations to explain how they know people don’t have unauthorized access to information. Controls provide the best way of ensuring information protection. Controls can be process based (administrative controls), or technology based (technical controls). Controls focus on one or more of the following: problem prevention, problem detection, or problem correction.

How has RIT implemented this policy?

RIT has implemented the Information Security Policy by conducting risk assessments, issuing and enforcing standards, raising awareness of threats, recognizing best practices, and maintaining relationships with a number of security-focused external entities for benchmarking and sharing of resources.

More specifically,

RIT has designated specific individuals, including the RIT Information Security Officer, to identify and assess the risks to non-public or business-critical information within the Institute and establish an Institute-wide information security plan

The RIT Information Security Office creates and maintains standards to protect RIT information systems and its supporting infrastructure, ensure workforce information security, and guide RIT business associates and outsource partners. The creation of these standards is mandated by policy and is in response to the risks that the Institute faces. They are Institute-wide standards, created with representation from across RIT. See our Policies and Standards page for the list of current standards and information about how standards are developed.

The RIT Information Security Office provides awareness and training workshops, including its Digital Self Defense classes to help RIT users in the responsible use of information, applications, information systems, networks, and computing devices.

The RIT Information Security Office encourages the exchange of information security knowledge through ongoing engagements with security-focused groups, such as Educause, the New York State Cyber-Security Critical Infrastructure Coordination group, InfraGard, and others.

RIT periodically evaluates the effectiveness of information security controls in technology and process through risk assessments.

To whom does the policy apply?

The policy applies to the entire RIT community, including RIT employees, student employees, volunteers, and external business associates. Standards articulate how you follow the policy. Each standard has a different scope and may apply to different parts of or activities engaged in by the RIT population.

What do I have to do?

You need to follow all Information Security Policy requirements as articulated in the standards. See our Policies and Standards page for a current list of standards.

Where do I go for more information?

Read the policy and its associated standards. Contact the RIT Information Security at infosec@rit.edu if you have more questions.

Signature Standard

RIT uses a standardized signature to make authentic Institute communications easily recognizable. Uses of common signature elements by senders will help recipients detect counterfeit e-mails and phishing attempts. For more information, see the Signature Standard.

Who do the requirements apply to?

The requirements apply to:

All senders of e-mail related to Institute academic or business purposes sent by RIT faculty or staff using an RIT or non-RIT e-mail account. (The standard also applies to course-related e-mail sent via the RIT MyCourses system.)

All creators of Message Center communications.

E-mail messages sent from portable devices.

The requirements do not apply to:

Personal e-mail and e-mail sent by students. RIT students are encouraged to create an e-mail signature which makes their e-mail easily identifiable as authentic.

What do I have to do?

All e-mail or Message Center communications that support academic or business functions should contain the following:

The name of the sender. (A department name is not an acceptable substitute for the name of a sender.)

The name of the RIT-Specific organization or department the sender represents.

A university telephone number, building address, and e-mail address (where available) that the recipient may use to contact the sending department with questions or to verify the authenticity of the e-mail. Web addresses may be included, but may not be the primary means of contact.

Note that the Confidentiality Statement is not required for e-mails containing only Internal or Public information (e.g., mass communications such as Message Center, or mass mailings to external audiences such as prospective students, parents, etc.)